what to include in a dissertation introduction

This can be as simple as ‘ Chapter 2 discusses my chosen methodology, Chapter 3 sets out my results, and Chapter 4 discusses the results and draws conclusions ’.

However, if your thesis is ordered by themes, then a more complex outline may be necessary.

Drafting and Redrafting

As with any other piece of writing, redrafting and editing will improve your text.

This is especially important for the introduction because it needs to hold your reader’s attention and lead them into your research.

The best way to ensure that you can do this is to give yourself enough time to write a really good introduction, including several redrafts.

Do not view the introduction as a last minute job.

Continue to: Writing a Literature Review Writing the Methodology

Research and Writing Guides

Writing a paper? Don't get lost.

How to write a good thesis introduction

For many people, getting started with the thesis introduction is the most scary part. Writing introductions can be intimidating. At this point, most of your research/prep work should be done and you should be ready to start your introduction. But often, it is not clear what needs to be included and how to make a good first impression to your reader. If you feel stuck at this point not knowing how to start, this guide can help.

First of all, make sure to really start with the introduction. If you are having trouble putting together a good introduction, start with a placeholder. That placeholder does not need to be as strong as you would like it to be, but you can always come back to it and edit it. Having a brief introduction that sets the direction will help you a lot as you write. Waiting to write the introduction until the end can leave you with a poorly written setup to an otherwise well-written paper.

A good introduction draws readers in while providing the setup for the entire paper. There is no single way to write an introduction that will always work for every topic, but the points below can act as a guide. These points can help you write a good thesis introduction:

1. Identify your readership

Before even starting with your first sentence, ask yourself the question who your readers are. Your first and most important reader is your professor grading your work and the people ultimately responsible for you getting your diploma. You should also consider readers of your thesis who are not specialists in your field. Writing with them in your mind will help you to be as clear as possible which will make your thesis better understandable and more enjoyable overall.

2. Hook the reader and grab their attention

The first sentence of the paper is crucial. Looking back at your own research, how many papers have you skipped just because reading the first few sentences they couldn't grab your attention? It is common to start with a question or quotation, but these types of hooks have become overused. The best way to start your introduction is with a sentence that is broad and interesting and seamlessly transitions into your argument. Also, starting with a broader statement will appeal to a wider audience. Consider who the paper is aimed at informing and then think of something that would grab their attention. Make a list of what is interesting about your topic. Are there any current events it relates to or controversies associated with it that might be interesting for your introduction? Start out broad and then narrow down to your specific topic and thesis statement.

3. Provide relevant background

A good introduction also needs to contain enough background information to allow the reader to understand the thesis statement and arguments. The amount of background information required will depend on the topic. There should be enough background information so you don't have to spend too much time with it in the body of the thesis, but not so much that it becomes uninteresting.

4. Give the reader a general knowledge of what the paper is about

Let the reader know what the purpose of the study is. Make sure to include the following points:

The introduction to your thesis should preview what is to come and interest the reader with enough understanding of the key points, but still leave the best for the main part. While the body of your thesis will explain the main argument, you might want to lead into the thesis statement by briefly bringing up a few of your main supporting details.

Frequently Asked Questions about writing a good thesis introduction

A good introduction draws readers in while providing the setup for the entire paper. There is no single way to write an introduction that will always work for every topic, but these tips will help you write a great introduction:

A good introduction needs to contain enough background information, and let the reader know what the purpose of the study is. Make sure to include the following points:

The length of the introduction will depend on the length of the whole thesis. Usually, an introduction makes up roughly 10 per cent of the total word count.

The best way to start your introduction is with a sentence that is broad and interesting and seamlessly transitions into your argument. Also, starting with a broader statement will appeal to a wider audience. Consider who the paper is aimed at informing, and then think of something that would grab their attention.

In Open Access: Theses and Dissertations you can find thousands of recent works. Take a look at any of the theses or dissertations for real-life examples of introductions that were already approved.

How to Write a Dissertation Introduction

Table of Contents

Learn More with Advice from Experts!

The introduction to any text, whether it is a short essay, an in-depth research paper or a full-fledged novel, has to be cutting-edge and provide some insight into the text without going too much in detail.

Unlike any other text, a dissertation is an elongated research paper that follows through tons of in-depth research, spread over five chapters.

In this article, we are going to lay an emphasis on the Introduction chapter, its importance in the dissertation, how you can write it and some tips to remember while writing it.

We will also answer certain queries like!

What is the Structure of a Dissertation?

The structure of a dissertation varies according to the academic level and the requirements of the dissertation. A number of components are present in a dissertation. However, in general, there are five chapters in a dissertation. These include:

Other than these five main chapters, you will see other components in the dissertation as well. These include:

It is important to confirm the chapters and sections from your university. The Introduction comes after the Title Page, Acknowledgements, Abstract and Table of Contents. It serves as one of the main five chapters.

The Title Page is the first page of your dissertation and more like the cover. The abstract is a short summary that provides insight into the overall dissertation. It can be of around 300 words and should be clear and concise.

Adding the Table of Contents helps in navigating through the dissertation in a much easier way, considering that a dissertation may have a minimum of a 1,000 words.

What is the Importance of a Dissertation Introduction?

When it comes to writing a dissertation, a student has to work with each chapter carefully. The Introduction is supposed to give a background of your research topic while covering your research questions, aims and objectives.

This is so that you cover the WHAT, WHY and HOW of your overall research and make the Introduction compelling as a whole.

What are the five steps to cover the three W’s in your dissertation?

Remember, your dissertation employs a pivotal role in determining the significance of your overall research. You have to make it engaging enough to not only capture the attention of your reader, but to retain that captured attention as well. Even the best of the writers at some essay writing service UK based or the other are taught to make a cutting edge intro for their essays.

Just so that you are clear, here is a perfect Dissertation Introduction Example !

Things to Include While Writing a Dissertation Introduction

Like every other chapter, a dissertation introduction consists of a general structure as well. You can consider the Introduction to be a more detailed version of the Abstract.

What are the necessary things to include in your dissertation?

You as a student must have reviewed some literature in order to devise your research questions. Include your research questions in the Introduction along with your research aims and objectives.

Provide some background on the topic or problem of your focus, like what kind of previous research has been done on it and what is the importance of the topic in current times. Since many students leave the Abstract and a little of the Introduction for the end, you can give a brief recap of your overall dissertation when you revisit the dissertation. Similarly, you can also mention the limitations that you faced during your research process in a brief manner. This is usually mentioned in the Methodologies section in detail, however, you can mention some limitations in a concise way in the Introduction chapter.

Remember These Dissertation Introduction Tips For A Better Dissertation

While writing your dissertation introduction, you can follow some tips to ensure that it is top-notch in quality and helps in making it engaging enough.

Checklist for Your Dissertation Introduction

Get 15% Discount on Your First Order

Select Paper Type Essay Coursework Assignment Dissertation Thesis Research Proposal Literature Review Case Study Report Editing and Proofreading PowerPoint Slides Others

How it works

How to Structure a Dissertation or Thesis

Published by Owen Ingram at August 11th, 2021 , Revised On January 6, 2023

Having trouble deciding how to structure a dissertation? You’ve come to the right place! A dissertation – sometimes called a thesis – is a long piece of information backed up by extensive research. This one, huge piece of research is what matters the most when students – undergraduates and postgraduates – are in their final year of study.

On the other hand, some institutions, especially in the case of undergraduate students, may or may not require students to write a dissertation . Courses are offered instead. This generally depends on the requirements of that particular institution.

If you are unsure about how to structure your dissertation or thesis, this article will offer you some guidelines to work out what the most important segments of a dissertation paper are and how you should organise them. Why is structure so important in research, anyway?

One way to answer that, as Abbie Hoffman aptly put it, is because: “Structure is more important than content in the transmission of information.”

Also Read: How to write a dissertation – step by step guide .

It should be noted that the exact structure of your dissertation will depend on several factors, such as:

This will include developing an overall argument to support the thesis statement and organizing chapters around theories or questions. The dissertation will be structured such that it starts with an introduction , develops on the main idea in its main body paragraphs and is then summarised in conclusion .

However, if you are basing your dissertation on primary or empirical research, you will be required to include each of the below components. In most cases of dissertation writing, each of these elements will have to be written as a separate chapter.

But depending on the word count you are provided with and academic subject, you may choose to combine some of these elements.

For example, sciences and engineering students often present results and discussions together in one chapter rather than two different chapters.

If you have any doubts about structuring your dissertation or thesis, it would be a good idea to consult with your academic supervisor and check your department’s requirements.

Parts of a Dissertation or Thesis

Your dissertation will start with a t itle page that will contain details of the author/researcher, research topic, degree program (the paper is to be submitted for), and research supervisor. In other words, a title page is the opening page containing all the names and title related to your research.

The name of your university, logo, student ID and submission date can also be presented on the title page. Many academic programs have stringent rules for formatting the dissertation title page.

Acknowledgements

The acknowledgments section allows you to thank those who helped you with your dissertation project. You might want to mention the names of your academic supervisor, family members, friends, God, and participants of your study whose contribution and support enabled you to complete your work.

However, the acknowledgments section is usually optional.

Tip: Many students wrongly assume that they need to thank everyone…even those who had little to no contributions towards the dissertation. This is not the case. You only need to thank those who were directly involved in the research process, such as your participants/volunteers, supervisor(s) etc.

Perhaps the smallest yet important part of a thesis, an abstract contains 5 parts:

Stuck on a difficult dissertation? We can help!

Our Essay Writing Service Features:

“Our expert dissertation writers can help you with all stages of the dissertation writing process including topic research and selection, dissertation plan, dissertation proposal , methodology, statistical analysis, primary and secondary research, findings and analysis and complete dissertation writing. “

Tip: Make sure to highlight key points to help readers figure out the scope and findings of your research study without having to read the entire dissertation. The abstract is your first chance to impress your readers. So, make sure to get it right. Here are detailed guidelines on how to write abstract for dissertation .

Table of contents is the section of a dissertation that guides each section of the dissertation paper’s contents. Depending on the level of detail in a table of contents, the most useful headings are listed to provide the reader the page number on which said information may be found at.

Table of contents can be inserted automatically as well as manually using the Microsoft Word Table of Contents feature.

List of Figures and Tables

If your dissertation paper uses several illustrations, tables and figures, you might want to present them in a numbered list in a separate section . Again, this list of tables and figures can be auto-created and auto inserted using the Microsoft Word built-in feature.

List of Abbreviations

Dissertations that include several abbreviations can also have an independent and separate alphabetised list of abbreviations so readers can easily figure out their meanings.

If you think you have used terms and phrases in your dissertation that readers might not be familiar with, you can create a glossary that lists important phrases and terms with their meanings explained.

Looking for quantitative dissertation help?

Research prospect to the rescue then.

We have expert writers on our team who are skilled at helping students with quantitative dissertations across a variety of STEM disciplines. Guaranteeing 100% satisfaction!

Introduction

Introduction chapter briefly introduces the purpose and relevance of your research topic.

Here, you will be expected to list the aim and key objectives of your research so your readers can easily understand what the following chapters of the dissertation will cover. A good dissertation introduction section incorporates the following information:

All the information presented under this section should be relevant, clear, and engaging. The readers should be able to figure out the what, why, when, and how of your study once they have read the introduction. Here are comprehensive guidelines on how to structure the introduction to the dissertation .

“Overwhelmed by tight deadlines and tons of assignments to write? There is no need to panic! Our expert academics can help you with every aspect of your dissertation – from topic creation and research problem identification to choosing the methodological approach and data analysis.”

Literature Review

The literature review chapter presents previous research performed on the topic and improves your understanding of the existing literature on your chosen topic. This is usually organised to complement your primary research work completed at a later stage.

Make sure that your chosen academic sources are authentic and up-to-date. The literature review chapter must be comprehensive and address the aims and objectives as defined in the introduction chapter. Here is what your literature research chapter should aim to achieve:

While your literature review should summarise previous literature, it is equally important to make sure that you develop a comprehensible argument or structure to justify your research topic. It would help if you considered keeping the following questions in mind when writing the literature review:

Tip: You might want to establish relationships between variables/concepts to provide descriptive answers to some or all of your research questions. For instance, in case of quantitative research, you might hypothesise that variable A is positively co-related to variable B that is, one increases and so does the other one.

Research Methodology

The methods and techniques ( secondary and/or primar y) employed to collect research data are discussed in detail in the Methodology chapter. The most commonly used primary data collection methods are:

Essentially, the methodology chapter allows the researcher to explain how he/she achieved the findings, why they are reliable and how they helped him/her test the research hypotheses or address the research problem.

You might want to consider the following when writing methodology for the dissertation:

Here is a comprehensive article on how to structure a dissertation methodology .

Research Findings

In this section, you present your research findings. The dissertation findings chapter is built around the research questions, as outlined in the introduction chapter. Report findings that are directly relevant to your research questions.

Any information that is not directly relevant to research questions or hypotheses but could be useful for the readers can be placed under the Appendices .

As indicated above, you can either develop a standalone chapter to present your findings or combine them with the discussion chapter. This choice depends on the type of research involved and the academic subject, as well as what your institution’s academic guidelines dictate.

For example, it is common to have both findings and discussion grouped under the same section, particularly if the dissertation is based on qualitative research data.

On the other hand, dissertations that use quantitative or experimental data should present findings and analysis/discussion in two separate chapters. Here are some sample dissertations to help you figure out the best structure for your own project.

Sample Dissertation

Tip: Try to present as many charts, graphs, illustrations and tables in the findings chapter to improve your data presentation. Provide their qualitative interpretations alongside, too. Refrain from explaining the information that is already evident from figures and tables.

The findings are followed by the Discussion chapter , which is considered the heart of any dissertation paper. The discussion section is an opportunity for you to tie the knots together to address the research questions and present arguments, models and key themes.

This chapter can make or break your research.

The discussion chapter does not require any new data or information because it is more about the interpretation(s) of the data you have already collected and presented. Here are some questions for you to think over when writing the discussion chapter:

Here is an article on how to structure a dissertation discussion .

Conclusions corresponding to each research objective are provided in the Conclusion section . This is usually done by revisiting the research questions to finally close the dissertation. Some institutions may specifically ask for recommendations to evaluate your critical thinking.

By the end, the readers should have a clear apprehension of your fundamental case with a focus on what methods of research were employed and what you achieved from this research.

Quick Question: Does the conclusion chapter reflect on the contributions your research work will make to existing knowledge?

Reference list

All academic sources that you collected information from should be cited in-text and also presented in a reference list (or a bibliography in case you include references that you read for the research but didn’t end up citing in the text), so the readers can easily locate the source of information when/if needed.

At most UK universities, Harvard referencing is the recommended style of referencing. It has strict and specific requirements on how to format a reference resource. Other common styles of referencing include MLA, APA, Footnotes, etc.

Each chapter of the dissertation should have relevant information. Any information that is not directly relevant to your research topic but your readers might be interested in (interview transcripts etc.) should be moved under the Appendices section .

Things like questionnaires, survey items or readings that were used in the study’s experiment are mostly included under appendices.

An Outline of Dissertation/Thesis Structure

How Can We Help You With Your Dissertation?

If you are still unsure about how to structure a dissertation or thesis, or simply lack the motivation to kick start your dissertation project, you might be interested in our dissertation services.

If you are still unsure about how to structure a dissertation or thesis, or lack the motivation to kick start your dissertation project, you might be interested in our dissertation services.

Whether you need help with individual chapters, proposals or the full dissertation paper, we have PhD-qualified writers who will write your paper to the highest academic standard. Research Prospect is UK-based, and a UK-registered business, which means the UK consumer law protects all our clients.

All You Need to Know About Us LEARN MORE ABOUT UR DISSERTATION SERVICES

FAQs About Structure a Dissertation

What does the title page of a dissertation contain.

The title page will contain details of the author/researcher, research topic , degree program (the paper is to be submitted for) and research supervisor’s name(s). The name of your university, logo, student number and submission date can also be presented on the title page.

What is the purpose of adding acknowledgement?

The acknowledgements section allows you to thank those who helped you with your dissertation project. You might want to mention the names of your academic supervisor, family members, friends, God and participants of your study whose contribution and support enabled you to complete your work.

Can I omit the glossary from the dissertation?

Yes, but only if you think that your paper does not contain any terms or phrases that the reader might not understand. If you think you have used them in the paper, you must create a glossary that lists important phrases and terms with their meanings explained.

What is the purpose of appendices in a dissertation?

Any information that is not directly relevant to research questions or hypotheses but could be useful for the readers can be placed under the Appendices, such as questionnaire that was used in the study.

Which referencing style should I use in my dissertation?

You can use any of the referencing styles such as APA, MLA, and Harvard, according to the recommendation of your university; however, almost all UK institutions prefer Harvard referencing style .

What is the difference between references and bibliography?

References contain all the works that you read up and used and therefore, cited within the text of your thesis. However, in case you read on some works and resources that you didn’t end up citing in-text, they will be referenced in what is called a bibliography.

Additional readings might also be present alongside each bibliography entry for readers.

Ready to place an order?

Useful links, learning resources.

COMPANY DETAILS

How It Works

How It Works

How To Write A Thesis Introduction Without Effort

The first thing you will probably want to do when you start your thesis is write the introduction. Indeed, the thesis introduction is extremely important. It introduces the thesis statement, provides a bit of background information about the topic, explains a bit about your methods and results, and then makes a seamless transition to the first chapter. How long should a master’s thesis introduction be? Where is the thesis statement? Where can I get samples? Let’s talk about how you can write the best thesis introduction in the shortest time possible. Read on!

The Importance of the Thesis Introduction

So, what is a thesis introduction? Why is it so important? Should I write a thesis abstract ? To learn how to write a dissertation introduction correctly, you need to first understand its role and its importance. Here is why you need to make sure the introduction is written as best as possible:

The intro is there to provide some background information about the topic and present your thesis statement. It is also a great place to talk succinctly about other research and about the gap in knowledge that your research aims to plug. Learn how to write thesis introduction the right way if you want to get a top score on your thesis. The reality is that the evaluation committee considers the intro one of the most important parts of your academic paper. It should be perfect. The introduction is where you can hook your readers. Don’t be afraid to make a joke, share an anecdote, or be blunt about something. You want to make an impression on your readers and keep them reading.

So, Where Is the Thesis Statement Located in the Introduction?

Earlier, we mentioned the fact that you should include the thesis statement in the introduction. You probably know what a thesis statement is. If you don’t, we almost certainly have an article on our website that discusses it. To learn how to write a thesis introduction the right way, you need to know where to place the statement.

According to our seasoned academic writers, the best place to insert the statement is the end of the introductory paragraph.

The sentences that precede the thesis statement are there to introduce it. The reader needs to understand the problem before you can present your solution. Even though you may be tempted to start the introduction with a well-crafted, punchy statement, you should refrain from doing so. Place it at the end of the paragraph instead to make a transition to the Literature Review paragraph.

How Do You Write an Introduction for a Chapter in a Thesis?

Writing a thesis introduction is not very difficult. In fact, you should be able to do it all by yourself once you learn the simple process behind it. If you still need some help, keep in mind that we have some of the best thesis writers on the Internet. Our degree-holding experts can help you craft an awesome introduction for your thesis in mere hours. If you want to try it yourself, here is the process of writing a great thesis intro:

Where Can I Find an Example of Introduction in Thesis?

OK, but how do you write a good thesis introduction? It’s simple: you just follow the simple steps above. One paragraph per item should do the trick. However, we realize that some theses can be quite complicated. As such, their introductions can be somewhat difficult to write. If you are not very good at writing a dissertation introduction, you may need to get some help.

While you can find several decent examples of introductions on the Internet, we suggest you to avoid using them. You need a custom-written introduction that is 100% original. The best course of action is to get in touch with an academic writing company and get some professional help . A seasoned thesis writer will quickly help you write the best possible introduction for your paper.

Dissertation Introduction FAQ

Now that you know how to start your thesis introduction and have access to the simple steps to write an introduction thesis writers use all the time, it’s time to answer some of your questions.

How many pages should a thesis introduction be? A: An answer to this question is not easy to give. In general, the introduction should be around 10% of the word count of the thesis. If you are working on a PhD thesis, the intro will be anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 words. In the case of a Masters thesis, you are probably looking at just 1,500 to 2,000 words.

How many pages is a Masters thesis introduction in psychology? A: On average, the Masters thesis introduction will be 3 or 4 pages long (1.5 spacing).

What’s the best way to start an introduction to a dissertation? A: There are many ways to start an introduction. However, in our writers’ experience, it seems that starting the introduction with an anecdote works great. Another thing that works is starting the thesis with something that captures your reader’s attention instantly (such as a statistic or a question).

How do you write a dissertation introduction and make it longer? A: You can make the introduction longer by incorporating the literature review into it. This means that you will present the literature in extensively in the introduction and eliminate the Literature Review chapter. It is perfectly fine to write the thesis introduction this way, don’t worry.

Comprehensive Guide to Writing a Thesis Introduction (Updated For 2022)

When writing your thesis, it is paramount to give the thesis introduction special attention. Every reader will start with the introduction and come up with his/her understanding of the study problem, ideas, and professionalism based on the information presented therein. So, your thesis paper introduction needs to be perfect to strike the right impression to your readers.

However, it is sad that many people find crafting a good thesis introduction challenging. So, if you have a thesis to write but you are stuck, there is no need to worry because we are here to help. This guide on how to write a thesis introduction will help you to nail it like a pro.

How to Start a Thesis Introduction

The introduction is the first chapter in your thesis, and you should use it to draw the reader’s attention with a strong and attractive beginning. Therefore, set the stage for your dissertation or thesis with a clear focus and direction. The main purposes of your thesis introduction can be broken down into three:

Thesis Introduction Structure

The introduction of your PhD thesis should come immediately after the table of content, and you should ensure to provide important, meaningful, and accurate details to your readers. With the details you provide here, the reader should be able to know the following:

In order to get a better understanding of a correct thesis introduction structure, take a look at the real-life sample below. That’s the intro to a 85-page dissertation on homeland security , written by a Penn graduate just a year ago.

Sample Thesis Introduction

The Department of Homeland Security (DOH) was formed by the Bush II administration largely because of the intelligence failures that permitted the 9/11 terror attacks to occur. The most important such problem, now widely recognized, was the failure of the various intelligence agencies to share information with each other. The DOH’s single most important function was supposed to be ensuring that relevant intelligence would not fall through the cracks again.

The DOH’s capabilities include improving anti-terrorism intelligence and response, more extensive surveillance—much of it gathered under the auspices of the notorious Patriot Act; improving monitoring of points of entry into the United States; making borders less porous; enhancing transportation security (for example the security measures we are all familiar with in airports); protecting critical infrastructure; enhancing public health; and protecting against chemical and biological attacks (Miller, 2018).

There are, however, several areas in which the DOH could be improved. One problem is the department’s sheer size. The initial legislation, which has now been supplemented, combined twenty-two differ organizations into “the third largest cabinet-level agency in the U.S. government” (Gerstein, 2017). Some have charged that the enormous bureaucracy occasioned by this integration has made the problem of keeping straight intelligence resources more difficult than it was before. Second, and there is no doubt about this, the operation of the DOH results in an unprecedented level of waste and inefficiency. Third, sub-departments within the DOH have serious problems. To mention only one salient instance, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has become an instrument of the president’s war on immigration (Gerstein, 2017).

The two options for improving the situation seem to be making smaller improvements, of the sort that have been made many times before, on one hand, and dismantling the organization altogether, on the other. While no possibility of a future terrorist attack can be completely discounted, the evidence suggests that globalization has made smaller attacks (perhaps by parties outside the U.S. cooperating with parties inside it) more likely than large ones such as 9/11.

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write Thesis Introduction

To make the process of writing a thesis introduction easy, here are the main eleven steps that you should follow. However, it is prudent to note that some disciplines might require additional steps:

As you follow the above eleven steps, it is important to appreciate that the intro is your perfect chance to grab the attention of the reader and make him/her want to keep reading the rest of the paper. You might want to read another thesis introduction sample, preferably one written by an expert.

Pro Tips on How to Write Thesis Introduction

To make the introduction impress your professor or supervisor more, start by creating a good thesis introduction outline, which presents all the points in a logical and easy-to-read manner. Here are other tips to help you craft a winning thesis introduction:

Common Problems Faced by Students when Writing Thesis introduction

While your focus should be crafting the best thesis introduction, it is important also to understand why some students find the process challenging. Here are some of the problems that you should try to avoid when working on a thesis introduction:

With this guide, you should now be able to hammer that thesis introduction like a pro. However, if you still find it challenging, the best option is seeking online writing help from our experts. They have all the skills and experience needed to craft excellent dissertation introductions. With our experts on your side, you can get only one outcome – a top-rated introduction.

Thesis Introduction FAQ

Make PhD experience your own

What Is a Dissertation?

A dissertation is the culmination of your doctoral studies. If you have been considering earning your doctorate degree, you probably know a little about the dissertation process. However, you may not understand exactly what it will take for you to get from your doctoral studies application to your dissertation. Let’s explore what that experience might be like for you and get a thorough dissertation definition.

Applying for a Doctoral Studies Program

Before you can start thinking about your dissertation, you must be accepted into a doctoral program . To apply to the program, you will first choose what you want to study based on the institution and the research interests of the faculty. You want to make sure that you find a program whose faculty members are interested in similar topics or areas that you want to study. These faculty members will act as your advisers or mentors.

Be sure to collect letters of recommendation far in advance of your application deadline. This is to ensure you have all of the elements ready for your PhD or doctorate application.

You will probably create a personal statement that shows that you are capable of completing original research and scholarly work. Your personal statement should put your understanding of your academic area at the forefront and showcase excellent writing and communication skills.

You will also likely need to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), so be sure to give yourself time to prepare and study for that test. Ensure that you take the test with enough time to retake it if necessary.

Doctoral Program

In preparation for writing your dissertation, you will complete your PhD studies by taking academic courses. These classes will be smaller and more challenging than the work that you did for your undergraduate and master's degrees.

Expect a lot of reading and writing of academic material each week. This coursework not only prepares you to be an expert in your field, but it also prepares you for the dissertation process. Writing your dissertation will include referring to and using these readings and scholarly skills. By completing your PhD or doctoral coursework, you will be better prepared to complete your dissertation. In addition, your coursework will include research methodology classes that help you gather data. These research methodology classes will become the cornerstones of your dissertation process.

Coursework that you complete in a doctoral program is focused on preparing you to become an independent researcher. Your coursework can help you narrow down your research topic. As you become familiar with the readings and the research currently in the field, you will see where there are holes in the body of knowledge. You may be able to contribute something entirely new to the field through your own dissertation. In addition, you may find a reading or existing research that you think you could dive deeper into or expand on for your dissertation.

Once you finish your doctoral coursework, you should have your dissertation topic selected. This means that you are ready to begin the formal research process.

Dissertation Research

To begin the formal dissertation process, you will write a proposal that will include the research plan and methodology you intend to take to learn more about your topic. Once your proposal has been approved, the research and analysis can begin.

During the dissertation research process, you will go from being a student to an academic researcher. If you have studied in the field before and have completed original research in your undergraduate or master's program, you may be allowed to continue that research. However, you will be required to gather new data for your doctoral dissertation.

If you are in the sciences, you will likely create, design and run experiments in a lab. In other areas, such as the social sciences, you need to gather research in the field and away from your university. In other PhD and doctoral programs you may do the majority of your research and work in the library focusing on documents and other sources of evidence.

Once you have gathered all of your data, you will review your notes and begin to write up your findings.

Dissertation Format

A dissertation is a long document. It is generally published in a book with at least five chapters, though many universities are beginning to require a sixth chapter. The chapters of the dissertation include the:

These sections of the dissertation logically build on the theories and research gathered during your dissertation process. You will begin by briefly reviewing your research question and previewing the information to come. In the literature review, you share and critique the current research and literature in the fields that are pertinent to your dissertation and your findings.

Then you explain how you collected and analyzed your data. In the analysis section, you analyze the data as it applies to the topic. You end your dissertation with a findings section that interprets the data. You may also share future research possibilities related to your topic.

Before compiling your dissertation, you should review completed dissertations in your field. You should also work with your mentor or adviser to determine what type of methodology and design works best for your question and your topic. By working with people who have experience in the field, writing their own dissertations, you will be guided to make the best possible decisions for your own dissertation.

Once complete, you will give a dissertation defense. In a dissertation defense you will be presenting, explaining and defending your ideas to the dissertation committee who will either pass or fail your dissertation.

If you are ready to earn a terminal degree in your field and add to the body of knowledge and research that exists, consider joining any of the programs with the Grand Canyon University College of Doctoral Studies , such as the DBA in Data Analytics . You will receive dissertation support and guidance from expert faculty who are excited to work with you and share their knowledge and expertise.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.

Loading Form

More About GCU

A Look at a Typical Strategic Planner Job Description

Woman writing a conference paper on her laptop

What Is a Conference Paper and How Is It Written?

All But Dissertation: What Is It?

IMAGES

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR DISSERTATION INTRODUCTION
How to write an academic introduction / Academic English UK
How to Write Dissertation Introduction
Buying A Dissertation Introduction Should Include : Découvrez l'expertise Gergonne, fabricant et
009 Research Paper Example Of Introduction Paragraph In Body Paragraphs Writing Your Guides At
How to Write A Good Dissertation Introduction?

VIDEO

HOW TO WRITE A DISSERTATION
The Dissertation Introduction: Tips for Writing a Compelling and Engaging Opening
Working in the GCU Template: Tracking Changes and Reviewing Comments
Mastering Your Introduction Chapter
Writing A Dissertation Introduction: Common Mistakes
Confidently Present Your Qualitative Results Chapter

COMMENTS

How to Write a Thesis or Dissertation Introduction
Your introduction draws your reader in, setting the stage for your research with a clear focus, purpose, and direction on a relevant topic. Your introduction should include: Your topic, in context: what does your reader need to know to understand your thesis dissertation? Your focus and scope: what specific aspect of the topic will you address?
How To Write A Dissertation Introduction Chapter
The very first essential ingredient for your dissertation introduction is, well, an introduction or opening section. Just like every other chapter, your introduction chapter needs to start by providing a brief overview of what you'll be covering in the chapter.
What Is a Dissertation?
Everything in the introduction should be clear, engaging, and relevant. By the end, the reader should understand the what, why, and how of your research. Read more about introductions Literature review A formative part of your research is your literature review.
How to Write the Introduction of a Dissertation
When writing a dissertation introduction, one has to explain the title, discuss the topic and present a background so that readers understand what your research is about and what results you expect to achieve at the end of the research work. As a standard practice, you might work on your dissertation introduction chapter several times.
How to Write a Dissertation Introduction
A strong introduction can draw the reader in immediately. Watch this video to learn how to write an engaging dissertation introduction!Subscribbr https://w...
Formatting Your Dissertation
The top of the abstract page should include: The author's name, right justified. The words "Dissertation Advisor:" followed by the advisor's name, left-justified (a maximum of two advisors is allowed) Title of the dissertation, centered, several lines below author and advisor.
How to Write an Introduction, With Examples
An introduction should include three things: a hook to interest the reader, some background on the topic so the reader can understand it, and a thesis statement that clearly and quickly summarizes your main point. Your writing, at its best. Get Grammarly It's free Works on all your favorite websites
How to Write a Thesis Introduction
In the introduction of your thesis, you'll be trying to do three main things, which are called Moves: Move 1 establish your territory (say what the topic is about) Move 2 establish a niche (show why there needs to be further research on your topic) Move 3 introduce the current research (make hypotheses; state the research questions)
Writing A Dissertation Introduction: 7 Costly Mistakes
A good introduction should outline the contextual factors from the outset. Ideally, you should describe the what, where, who and when type factors to help orient your reader. This contextual base will help your reader understand what's going on in the field, which will lay the foundation for your research justification (more on that coming soon).
Writing a Thesis Introduction
Here are the steps to write a winning thesis introduction; 1. Identify Your Readership You need to know who your audience is in order to make them fully understand what you are going to discuss. Identifying your readership will help you decide the style of writing that would engage them most.
How to Write a Dissertation
Introduction In the introduction, you set up your dissertation's topic, purpose, and relevance, and tell the reader what to expect in the rest of the dissertation. The introduction should: Establish your research topic, giving necessary background information to contextualise your work Narrow down the focus and define the scope of the research
How to write a fantastic thesis introduction (+15 examples)
A powerful thesis introduction does the following: It captures the reader's attention. It presents a clear research gap and emphasises the thesis' relevance. It provides a compelling argument. It previews the research findings. It explains the structure of the thesis. This list can feel quite overwhelming.
How to write a dissertation introduction, conclusion and abstract
As a general rule, your dissertation introduction should generally do the following things: Provide preliminary background information that puts your research in context Clarify the focus of your study Point out the value of your research (including secondary research) Specify your specific research aims and objectives
Chapter introductions
Chapter introductions. The purpose of the thesis introduction is to orient the reader to the research presented in the body of your thesis. The introduction should include all information necessary to prepare the reader, to put the reader in the picture in terms of the specifics of your research project: what the thesis focuses on; the context ...
Introductions & Conclusions
An introduction is the first paragraph of your paper. The goal of your introduction is to let your reader know the topic of the paper and what points will be made about the topic. The thesis statement that is included in the introduction tells your reader the specific purpose or main argument of your paper.
Writing a Dissertation: The Introduction
The introduction to your dissertation or thesis will probably draw heavily on your research proposal. If you haven't already written a research proposal see our page Writing a Research Proposal for some ideas. The introduction needs to set the scene for the later work and give a broad idea of the arguments and/or research that preceded yours.
How to write a good thesis introduction
These points can help you write a good thesis introduction: 1. Identify your readership Before even starting with your first sentence, ask yourself the question who your readers are. Your first and most important reader is your professor grading your work and the people ultimately responsible for you getting your diploma.
How To Write a Dissertation Introduction
However, in general, there are five chapters in a dissertation. These include: Introduction Literature Review Methodologies Findings/Results Conclusion Other than these five main chapters, you will see other components in the dissertation as well. These include: Title Page Acknowledgements Abstract Table of Contents List of Figures and Tables
How to Structure a Dissertation
A brief introduction of your research topic. The significance of your research. A line or two about the methodology that was used. The results and what they mean (briefly); their interpretation (s). And lastly, a conclusive comment regarding the results' interpretation (s) as conclusion. Stuck on a difficult dissertation? We can help!
Thesis Introduction
In general, the introduction should be around 10% of the word count of the thesis. If you are working on a PhD thesis, the intro will be anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 words. In the case of a Masters thesis, you are probably looking at just 1,500 to 2,000 words. How many pages is a Masters thesis introduction in psychology?
How To Write A Thesis Introduction Like An Expert In 2022
The introduction is the first chapter in your thesis, and you should use it to draw the reader's attention with a strong and attractive beginning. Therefore, set the stage for your dissertation or thesis with a clear focus and direction. The main purposes of your thesis introduction can be broken down into three:
What Is a Dissertation?
Dissertation Format. A dissertation is a long document. It is generally published in a book with at least five chapters, though many universities are beginning to require a sixth chapter. The chapters of the dissertation include the: Overview. Literature Review. Methodology.